Epilogue

Genosha Diary
(First Entry)

That had to have been one of the more... interesting -- and intensive -- 'discussions' I've ever been involved in. Magnus managed better than a phone, getting me a direct video and audio link straight to the X-mansion so that I got to enjoy in full color and sound the reaction to my decision.

All in all, it made the debate about my coming here in the first place sound like a friendly chat between comrades.

The first fifteen minutes were basically a group rant that I must be mind controlled, under duress, crazy or about a dozen other excuses. Or all of the above.

I guess I was still in a state of self induced shock or something because of my decision, because my temper hardly even came into play. I just calmly worked my way through the whole thing, doing my best to explain why I was doing this.

They still weren't convinced a half hour later, and I was beginning to worry they were going to just come and pull me off Genosha regardless of my decision when Logan -- who I realized hadn't had much to say throughout the whole arguement -- suddenly did start talking, putting an end to the debate. Basically he said that I was an adult, had been one for years regardless of my actual age, that as far as he was concerned I seemed to have all my marbles in the same bag, and if I had decided to do this they should all respect that decision.

And more importantly, that if anyone had any plans to sneak in and pull me out against my wishes, then they had better be prepared to go through him first.

A few of them groused that Logan was hoping that I would find myself in trouble so that he would have the full support of the team when he went after his revenge on Magneto. But I think differently. I don't know if Logan will ever forgive or forget what Magnus did to him, but I think he understands Magnus better then most.

That he understands the need to redeem one's self.

At the very least I hope he's confident that I'm mature and intelligent enough to make the right decision, and wasn't just saying that for the sake of the argument.

I guess only time will tell.

So after many tearful good byes and many more demands that I stay in touch, we finally signed off and I at last crawled back to my bed and collapsed. If I dreamed any dreams that night, I don't remember them.

I rose the next morning, awoken by the sunlight shining in through the window, despite the fact that I was in a completely different time zone than I'd been in just a few days ago.

Looking out at the city of Hammer Bay bathed in the light of the morning sun, I wondered again if I was doing the right thing.

I still wasn't sure if it was the right thing -- or even if I could do what I was being asked to do -- but, as Lockheed joined me, perched upon my shoulder, I suddenly realized something.

It might well be an impossible task before me, but I felt an unaccustomed eagerness to be about it.
 

END

Many thanks to Luba for beta-reading, encouragement, a place to post my story and the final little push that got me to finish it. ;-)
Followup stories of New Genosha will be forthcoming.
Take care all.